Firefighter dead after blast demolishes house in Loudoun County
Nine other firefighters and two civilians were taken to area hospitals after the explosion in Sterling
A devastating explosion occurred in Loudoun County, resulting in the destruction of a house and claiming the life of at least one firefighter. According to authorities and witnesses, the blast, which occurred Friday night, was felt over a wide area, shaking the ground and causing significant damage.
James Williams, an assistant chief with Loudoun County Fire and Rescue, described the scene on Silver Ridge Drive as one of “total devastation.” Apart from the firefighter who tragically lost their life, 11 individuals, including nine other firefighters, sustained injuries ranging from minor to severe.
The incident unfolded when firefighters responded to a call reporting a gas leak at the home around 7:40 p.m. Shortly after their arrival, the house exploded, trapping multiple firefighters inside. Williams expressed the profound gravity of the situation, describing it as “the worst call that we can respond to,” emphasizing the need for mutual support and solidarity among emergency responders.
Residents in Sterling, particularly near Seneca Ridge and Silver Ridge drives, experienced the tremors caused by the explosion just before 8:24 p.m. The force of the blast sent debris flying into trees and caused homes to shake. Even people living across the Potomac River in Montgomery County reported feeling the impact of the explosion.
A powerful blast in Loudoun County has left little of the affected house visible, with remnants obscured by smoke and flames. The aftermath resembles a chaotic lumberyard, with pieces of the wooden structure scattered across the intersection, partially hidden by rising smoke, as seen in aerial videos of the scene.
Rescuers continued to arrive in the area as of 9:20 p.m., with a block surrounding the home cordoned off. Concerned neighbors emerged from their houses after hearing what sounded like a falling tree crashing into a roof. John Padgett, a resident on Seneca Ridge Drive, described the impact as a “huge explosion,” noting that he had smelled gas earlier in the neighborhood, prompting a call to the fire department.
As of late Friday night, the cause of the blast remained unknown. Padgett, who does not know the affected residents, described the scene as “horrific” and likened it to a war zone, with reports of walls caving in like rubber.
Assistant Chief Williams mentioned that the fire will continue to smolder for an unspecified duration before investigators from the fire marshal’s office can safely access the house for further examination.
The explosion occurred in the northeastern part of Loudoun County, in the Cascades/Potomac Falls area, south of the Potomac River and closer to some neighborhoods in Montgomery County, Maryland, than to other parts of Northern Virginia. The affected community is situated northeast of Dulles International Airport, approximately 30 miles northwest of the U.S. Capitol.